Forging machine stock gauge



NOV. 17, 1942. u. EW E FORGING MAOi-IINE STOCK GAUGE Filed March 27, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q INVENTOR. a J'OH/VUDEV/A/E Y Wear: v ATTORNEYS Nov. 17, 1942. .1. u. DEVINE FORGING MACHINE STOCK GAUGE Filed March 27, 1939 3 heets-Sheet 2 YINVENTOR.

JOHNUDEV/NE BY. M

.A'ITORNEYS Nov. 17, 1942;

J. u. DEVINE FORGING MACHINE STOCIK GAUGE Filed March 27, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 6 TRAV INVENTOR.

\TOHNM DEV/NE BY ATTORNgYs Patented Nov. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FORGING MACHINE STOCK GAUGE John U. Devine, Struthers, Ohio, assignor to The National Machinery Company, Tiflin, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio 12 Claims.

The invention relates to forging machines and the like, and more particularly to an improved stock gauge and control therefor.

In certain types of forging work, such as upsetting the ends of casing or large pipe, it is necessary to position the pipe or piece with its end between, and spaced from the face of, the gripping dies to prevent a flash being squeezed out of the dies around the heading tool.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a stock gauge for locating the end of a work piece at a point spaced from the face of the gripping dies when the work piece is inserted between the open dies. Other objects are to provide a control mechanism to move the stock gauge into and out of position between the gripping dies; to interlock the stock gauge with the control mechanism for the forging machine so as to prevent the machine being operated while the gauge is between the gripping dies; and to provide a simple and reliable gauge and control means therefor. Other objects and advantages will appear in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a forging machine showing my invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a view of the stock gauge and actuating mechanism detached from the forging machine and illustrating the arrangement of the control mechanism;

Figure 3 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation showing the gauge in full lines in its retracted position and in dotted lines in its gauging position between the dies;

Figure 4 is an end elevation taken on the line 44 of Figure 3, the machine frame and gripping die slide being omitted for clarity.

' Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates the bed frame of a conventional type of forging machine having a reciprocating header slide 6, a stationary grip die 1 and a movable grip die 8. The slide 6 is arranged to be moved toward and away from the face of the dies 1 and 8 by a crank and pitman or other suitable driving means. The machine is also provided with cams preferably mounted directly on the crankshaft arranged to reciprocate a slide 9 connected by toggle links 50 with a gripping slide H in which the movable grip die 8 is secured by clamps IE or the like. The stationary grip die I is similarly secured by clamps Hi to the opposite side member of the frame 5.

In the illustrated embodiment the grip dies 1 and 8 are provided with die impressions M which, when the dies are closed, form a substantially cylindrical hole to grip the outside of a pipe or tubular member to be acted. upon. The heading slide 5 is provided with a heading tool I5 aligned with the die impression l4 and arranged to upset inwardly the end of a'pipe or the like gripped between the dies I and 8. It will be understood, of course, that the dies may be provided with several impressions spaced vertically and the heading slide may be provided with corresponding tools where the forging operation to be performed requires more than one blow. Likewise the die impressions and tools can be of any shape or form necessary to carry out the desired operation.

In the illustrated embodiment the heading slide 6 is secured in its slideway by cap members I6 bolted to the frame of the machine and projecting over the upper side edges of the slide. The reciprocating gauge slide I1 is slidably mounted in a pair of bearing blocks 18 and I9 bolted to one of the cap members l6. An air cylinder 20 is likewise bolted to the cap member IS in alignment with the slide I7 and is provided with a piston 2| connected to the slide I! by a connecting rod 22. The forward end of the slide I1 is provided with a laterally projecting head 23 to which is bolted the upper end 24 of a gauge 25.

The gauge 25 is arranged to extend downwardly into alignment with the die impression l4 and is preferably arranged in the path of travel of the slide 6 in a position to just clear the side of the heading tool l5 when the slide i1 is retracted. A boss 26 projecting laterally from the slide H is arranged to abut an adjustable screw 21 carried by bearing block 19 to limit the rearward movement of the slide I1, and to abut an adjustable screw 28 carried by the bearing block 18 to limit the forward movement of the slide IT. The screw 28 is extended forwardly over the I gripping die slide l I and past the end wall of the frame 5 into a position to be accessible to the operator of the machine. A hand wheel 29 may be secured to the extended end of the screw 28 beyond the end wall of the frame so as to permit convenient adjustment of the limit of the forward travel of the slide I1.

- Forging machines are commonly provided with either air actuated friction clutches, as disclosed, for example, in the copending application of William L. Clouse, Serial No. 31,251, filed July 13, 1935, or with positive clutches tripped by a compressed air operated trip cylinder. In either event the machine is provided with a trip valve accessible to the operator and controlling a fluid pressure line, which in turn controls the clutch and the operation of the machine. In the illustrated embodiment a trip valve 3!] having a pedal 3| is arranged in a position to be accessible to the operator to control the clutch and, therefore, the reciprocation of the heading slide 6 and the closing of the grip dies 1 and 8. The valve 30 may be any conventional form of three-way valve arranged to connect a conduit 32 leading to the clutch or trip cylinder either with a fluid pressure supply line 33 or an exhaust opening 34. The pedal is normally held in raised position by a spring and in this position the valve connects the clutch trip conduit 32 with the exhaust opening 3%. When the pedal is depressed by the operator the valve 3% connects the clutch trip line 32 with the fluid pressure supply line 33, and, when pres sure fluid is available in the line 33, starts the machine in operation.

The gauge of the present'invention is preferably operated by a fluid pressure motor and the operating mechanism of the gauge is preferably interlocked with the clutch control so that the machine cannot be operated while the gauge is between the gripping dies. For controlling the gauge a four-way valve 35 is mounted on the machine in a position to be accessible to the operator. Conduits 35 and 3'! lead from the valve 35 to the cylinder 26, the conduit 36 opening into the cylinder on the forward side of the piston 2i and the conduit 3'1] opening into the cylinder on the rearward side of the piston 2|. A conduit 33 leads from the main supply of pressure fluid to the valve 35 and the valve is also provided with an exhaust opening 39.

In the illustrated embodiment the valve 35 is provided with a handle 40 by which the position of the valve may be controlled. In accordance with the usual operation of conventional fourway valves, movement of the handle it to one position connects the pipe 36 with the exhaust 39 and simultaneously connects the pipe 31 with the fluid supply pipe 33. Movement of the handle 4b to its opposite position connects the pipe 35 to the fluid supply pipe 33 and simultaneously connects the pipe 3? to the exhaust 39. Thus in one position of the handle 40 pressure fluid is admitted to the forward side of the piston 25 and exhausted from the rearward side so as to move the slide El and the gauge 25 carried thereby to the limit of its rearward movement as determined by the adjustable abutment screw 21. Turning the handle 4% to its opposite position causes pressure fluid to be admitted to the rearward side of the piston 21 and exhausted from the forward side so that the slide I! is moved to the limit of its forward position as determined by the setting of the adjustable abutment screw 28.

In order to interlock the forging machine control with the gauge control a cam 41 is secured to a side of the slide H. A shut-off valve 42 is secured to the machine frame and is provided with an operating stem 43 having a roller 44 engaging the cam ii. The shut-off valve 42 is connected to a pipe opening into the fluid supply pipe 38, or otherwise communicating with the main supply of pressure fluid, and is also connected to the conduit 33 leading to the trip valve 33. The cam ii is arranged to hold the valve 42 open so as to permit a flow of pressure fluid from the pipe 45 into the pipe 33, and thus to the trip valve when the slide I1 is in its retracted position, and to close the valve 42 when the slide I! is in its forward position. A suitable spring may be provided to maintain the roller 44 in contact with the cam ll and if desired the open ing and closing of the valve #2 may be effected by a solenoid or the like energized and de-energized through contacts controlled by the cam M.

The gauge 25 as illustrated is arranged to reciprocate in a line parallel to the axis of the die I and spaced on one side of the heading tool I5 just sufficiently to clear this tool. In its retracted position or rearward position the gauge 25 is disposed behind the movable grip die 8 and its associated slide I! so that the die may be moved to closed position without interference by the gauge. When the dies are opened with the movable grip die retracted, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, the gauge may be moved to its forward position at which time it passes between the two dies 1 and 3. The pipe, bar, or other work piece S may then be inserted between the dies in such a manner as to engage the stationary die I at a slight angle and may be pushed forward into contact with the gauge 25 as illustrated in Figure 1. With the parts in the position shown in Figure l the handle All may then be swung to its opposite position to retract the gauge, after which the pedal 3! of the trip valve may be de pressed to set the forging machine in operation. When the pedal 3| is depressed the clutch of the machine is coupled with the crankshaft and the rotation of the latter first closes the grip dies through the toggles Hi and then drives the heading tool l5 forward into the dies to perform the desired forging operation on the work piece S gripped between the dies.

In the embodiment illustrated the stock gauge 25 moves in a line substantially parallel with the axis of the slide 6 so that when the gauge is in its forward or gauging position, it is necessary for the stock or pipe to be spaced slightly from the stationary die 1 at its forward end in order to strike the stock gauge, as illustrated in Figure 1. It will be apparent, however, that it is only necessary for the gauge to be spaced laterally from the l heading tool in its retracted position, and that the line of reciprocation of the slide H and the stock gauge 25 may be inclined with respect to the axis of the heading slide 6 so that the gauge in its retracted position will be spaced laterally from the heading tool, but in its forward position will be in front of the heading tool [5 and will strike the end of the stock even though the same be pressed tightly against the stationary die "a. It will be obvious that the same results may be secured by giving the gauge a swinging or other movement in addition to its longitudinal reciprocation.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in considerable detail it is to be understood that many variations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1.. In combination with a forging machine having horizontally separable gripping dies, a stock gauge guides on the machine supporting said stock gauge for horizontal slidalole movement in a direction substantially normal to the direction at separation of said dies, said gauge being slidable into a position between the dies when the same are open to gauge stock to be gripped, and slidable into position in rear of the dies to permit the same to be closed to grip the stock.

2. In combination with a forging machine having a heading slide and separable gripping dies, a stock gauge carried by the machine guides on the machine supporting said gauge for sliding movement substantially parallel to the line of movement of the heading slide into position between the dies when the same are open to gauge stock, and into a position clear of the dies and the heading tool to permit the dies to be closed and the heading tool to act upon stock gripped between the dies.

3. In combination with a forging machine having a stationary gripping die, a movable gripping die, a header slide carrying a forging tool, means to clamp the movable gripping die against the stationary gripping die to hold stock, and means to reciprocate the heading slide to work upon stock held by the gripping dies, a stock gauge carried by the machine and mounted for reciprocating movement into a position between the stationary and movable gripping dies to gauge stock, and into a position between the movable gripping die and the heading slide to celar both the movable gripping die and the tool.

4. In combination with a forging machine having a stationary gripping die, a movable gripping die, and a heading slide carrying a tool to act upon stock held in said gripping dies, a stock gauge slidably mounted on said machine, said gauge being movable into a retracted position between said slide and said dies and spaced from said heading tool so as not to interfere with the closing of said dies and the action of said tool, and movable into an advanced position between said movable gripping die and said stationary die to gauge stock inserted therein.

5. In combination with a forging machine having separable gripping dies, a stock gauge carried by the machine reciprocably movable into a position between the dies when the same ar open to gauge stock to be gripped, and out of position between the dies to permit the same to be closed to grip the stock, a fluid pressure actuated piston connected to said stock gauge to reciprocate the same, and means accessible to the operator for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to said piston.

6. In combination with a forging machine having a heading slide and separable gripping dies, a stock gauge carried by the machine for sliding movement substantially parallel to the line of movement of the heading slide into position between the dies when the same are open to gauge stock, and into a position clear of the dies and the heading tool to permit the dies to be closed and the heading tool to act upon stock gripped between the dies, and a motor for moving said gauge.

'7. In combination with a forging machine having a stationary gripping die, a movable gripping die, a header slide carrying a forging tool, means to clamp the movable gripping die against the stationary gripping die to hold stock, and means to reciprocate the heading slide to work upon stock held by the gripping dies, a stock gauge carried by the machine and mounted for movement into a position between the stationary and movable gripping dies to gauge stock, and into a position between the movable gripping dies and the heading slide to clear both the movable gripping die and the tool, a fluid pressure cylinder, a piston in said cylinder connected to said stock gauge, and means accessible to the operator for controlling the admission of pressure fluid to said cylinder.

8. In a forging machine having separabl gripping dies and a reciprocable heading slide, a movable stock gauge, a motor for moving said stock gauge into gauging and idle positions, a trip accessible to the operator for initiating a cycle of operation of said machine, means accessible to the operator for controlling said motor, and means preventing the operation of said machine by said trip when said gauge is in gauging position.

9. In a forging machine having separable gripping dies and a reciprocable heading slide, a movable stock gauge, a fluid pressure motor for moving said stock gauge into gauging and idle positions, a trip valve for starting said machine, a manually actuated valve for controlling said motor, and means preventing starting of said machine when said gauge is in gauging position.

10. In a forging machine having separable gripping dies and a reciprocable heading slide carrying a tool to act upon stock held in said dies, a stock gauge carried by said machine and movable into a gauging position between said gripping dies and an idle position out of the way of said dies and said tool, a motor for moving said gauge to gauging and idle positions, a trip accessible to the operator for initiating a cycle of operation of said machine, and means preventing the operation of said machine by said trip when said gauge is in gauging position.

11. In a forging machine having separable gripping dies and a reciprocable heading slide, a stock gauge carried by said machine and movable into gauging and idle positions, manually controlled means for starting said machine, and means controlled by said gauge preventing starting of said machine when said gauge is in gauging position.

12. In a forging machine having separable grippping dies and a reciprocable heading slide, a stock gauge carried by said machine and movable into gauging and idle positions, an air cylinder for moving said gauge, a manually controlled trip valve for starting said machine, and a valve controlled by the movement of said gauge preventing starting of said machine by said trip valve until said gauge has moved out of gauging position.

JOHN U. DEVINE. 

